Gunpowder measure from the civil war period

Just how much Market Lavington was involved in the English civil war is not known. The major Battle of Roundway took place on 13^th July 1643, just to the north of Devizes but it seems unlikely that skirmishes took place in the Lavington area.

So probably the 17^th century powder-measure, found in a field in the parish and given to the museum, was just a normal part of life for a local person. He, no doubt, was annoyed at his loss. ore than three hundred years on, his loss has become our gain.

Powder horn cap and measure

The lead made item served a dual purpose, for it was the lid for a powder horn – the bulk store of gunpowder that people carried. It was made of such a size that it could be used to measure the correct quantity of gunpowder for one shot.

Market Lavington Museum is delighted to work with a local metal detectorist so that such treasures can be seen by the wider public.

Advertisements

Tags: farming, Market Lavington, Metal Detector, Military, Museum